Gas Flaring Tops 167 Bcm Despite Available Capture Technologies

Global gas flaring climbed to 167 bcm in 2025, wasting an estimated $54 billion in natural gas and raising energy security concerns, according to the World Bank's latest Global Gas Flaring Tracker.

(P&GJ) — Global gas flaring increased for the third consecutive year in 2025, reaching 167 billion cubic meters (bcm) and wasting an estimated $54 billion worth of natural gas that could otherwise support energy security, economic growth and lower emissions, according to the latest Global Gas Flaring Tracker from the World Bank Group.

The report found that flaring volumes in 2025 were nearly equal to Africa's annual natural gas consumption and exceeded the annual volume of LNG shipped through the Persian Gulf.

Nine countries—Russia, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, Mexico, Libya, Algeria, Nigeria and the United States—accounted for more than 80% of global flaring while representing roughly half of the world's oil production.

World Bank Global Director for Energy Demetrios Papathanasiou said reducing routine flaring could improve both energy access and economic development.

"At a time when many countries are struggling to increase affordable and reliable energy, the economic development costs of continued flaring are simply too high," Papathanasiou said.

"The gas currently flared could be captured to power industries and businesses, create jobs, and strengthen energy security."

The World Bank estimates eliminating routine flaring worldwide would require $70 billion to $100 billion in investment—less than twice the annual value of the gas currently being wasted.

According to the report, the barriers to reducing flaring are largely economic and regulatory rather than technical, including inadequate policies, limited infrastructure, insufficient capital and weak market incentives.

The report points to Kazakhstan as an example of progress, noting the country has reduced gas flaring by 87% since 2012, including an additional 16% reduction in 2025.

Zubin Bamji, manager of the World Bank's Global Flaring and Methane Reduction Partnership, said the technologies needed to reduce flaring already exist.

"The technologies, policies, regulations, and financing mechanisms needed to capture and utilize associated gas are available," Bamji said.

"What is missing, in too many places, is the leadership, prioritization, and governance needed to put these solutions into practice."

The Global Gas Flaring Tracker uses satellite observations to monitor flaring activity and measures progress toward the World Bank's Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 initiative.